Amebic liver abscess

Alternative names:

abscess - amebic liver; extraintestinal amebiasis; hepatic amebiasis

Definition:

A collection of pus in the liver caused by an intestinal parasite.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Amebic liver abscess is caused by the same organism that causes amebiasis, an intestinal infection. The organism is carried through the blood to the liver where the abscess is formed. Patients may or may not have symptoms of intestinal infection concurrently with liver abscess. The infection is present worldwide, but is most common in tropical areas where crowded living conditions and poor sanitation exist. Africa, Latin America, Southeast Asia, and India have significant health problems associated with this disease. Transmission occurs through ingestion of cysts in fecally contaminated food or water, use of human excrement as fertilizer, and person-to-person contact. The incidence is 1 out of 100,000 people for amebic liver abscess. Malnutrition and alcoholism predispose a person to more severe disease, as does immunosuppression. Recent travel to a tropical region is a risk factor. In the U.S., institutionalized mentally retarded people and male homosexuals are known high risk groups.